Jefferson "Jeff" Dale Kruse passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, July 19, 2020, in Crawfordsville, Indiana, at the age of 88. He was born June 6, 1932, in MacGregor, Iowa, along the Mississippi River, where he began his love affair with nature, wildlife, and hunting. His parents were H.H. "Pat" and Sherma (Krohn) Kruse.

Jeff's family moved to Mitchell, South Dakota, before high school where he graduated from Mitchell High School in 1950, after which he attended South Dakota State University. He transferred to Iowa State University, where he graduated in 1955 with a degree in animal sciences. While in college, he enlisted in the Army ROTC Unit and served as a Reserve Officer, earning the rank of Second Lieutenant.

He married his high school sweetheart, A. Joanne (Treganza) Kruse, while in college. They moved to Thorntown, Indiana, after graduation, where he was an employed as a salesperson at Arbor Acres Chicken Farms, responsible for their sales in 13 states and two Canadian provinces. Joanne passed away in October 1969. Jeff was then married to Joyce (Titus) Pettit and they later divorced.

In 1972, Jeff became manager and eventually the owner of Titus Oil in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Jeff later went to work for Stanley Clark Oil Company in Cayuga, Indiana, serving as territory manager for Illinois and Indiana until his retirement. In 1982, he married Mary Kay Schwartz Kruse and they settled in their 150-year-old farmhouse south of Crawfordsville. She survives.

Jeff loved to be outside, tending to his large yard, caring for his cat and Weimaraner dog and hunting. But, most of all, he loved being with his family. Jeff and Mary Kay hosted annual birthday parties, Halloween celebrations, the Kruse Campout, holidays and weekend football games on TV, and would often have over 40 family members present.

In addition to his wife, Mary Kay, Jeff was survived by his children, Paul (Lana) Kruse of Lebanon, Indiana; Tom (Cathy) Kruse of New Richmond, Indiana; Karen (Victor) Fritz of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Dale (Kristee) Kruse of Avon, Indiana.

Survivors also include grandchildren, Kristi (Joe) Gronewold of Trivoli, Illinois; Joni (John) Fisher of Crawfordsville, Indiana; Corey Kruse of Pittsboro, Indiana; Alex (Michelle) Kruse of Lebanon, Indiana; Rachel (Brandon) Tate of Indianapolis, Indiana; Blair (Jenny) Fritz of Indianapolis, Indiana; Dane (Ashley) Fritz of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Cole (Kayla) Fritz of Utah; Abigail Fritz of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Jayden, Kyle, and Lauren Kruse of Avon, Indiana. In addition, he is survived by great grandchildren, Sam Gronewold, Jack Gronewold, Brooklyn Kruse, Lacey Conover, Seth Kruse, and Addison Kruse.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Wellbrooke of Crawfordville, Indiana, where Jeff had resided for the past 18 months. The compassion, love, and support provided by everyone at Wellbrooke was very much appreciated, especially during the past four months while Jeff and the family have had to live through the virus quarantine. Jeff was kept safe from the virus throughout that time and, most importantly, Wellbrooke was his second family.

A private family visitation and service will be held at Hunt & Son Funeral Home in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on Thursday, July 23, 2020. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Crawfordsville. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Crawfordsville Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, c/o Lyle Schmidt, 2427 West Delmar Drive, Crawfordsville, Indiana 47933, or to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, c/o Cathy Kruse, 205 West Madison Street, New Richmond, Indiana 47967.

Online condolences and memories may be left at: www.huntandson.com